Challenge

Businesses that expand rapidly can feel pressured to look for quick, off-the-shelf safety solutions in an attempt to meet client requirements. These might look good on paper, but there’s no “silver bullet” when it comes to achieving and sustaining safety excellence in the workplace. Some companies may have mature systems and processes in place for creating and maintaining a culture of safety. But for smaller companies like Pro-Test Pty Ltd, finding the expertise and resources to develop these tools from scratch can be a daunting task.

Solution

The Pro-Test management team attended a Workshop that introduced Safer Together’s Safety Culture Toolkit. Developed by member companies of Safer Together for member companies, the Toolkit was comprised of tailored Guides and support resources to drive improvement in 3 key areas: (a) Just Culture Model; (b) Safety Behaviour Model; and (c) Life Saving Rules. After completing a “needs analysis” activity at the Workshop, Pro-Test identified the Safety Behaviour Model as the first priority that they should address.

The Pro-Test management team also made a commitment to their peers at the Workshop (i.e. the other member companies that attended) to develop and implement their Safety Behaviour Model, and to report back on progress to the Group within 6 months.

Result

The Pro-Test management team have seen a step-change improvement in their company’s safety culture since implementing the Safety Behaviour Model.

After briefing work crews in the field to introduce the Model and explain why it was being implemented, a personal conversation with each employee followed to define acceptable (I will…) and unacceptable (I will not…) safety behaviours, and to set clear expectations (what I expect from you… what we should expect from each other…).

Over the course of the next few months, employees were empowered to have more authority and accountability for decision-making and to develop their capabilities to each become a safety leader.

The Pro-Test team is now in the process of weaving the behaviours defined in their Safety Behaviour Model into the company’s policies, standards and procedures.

"Without doubt the Safety Behaviour Model helps to clarify company expectations and the behaviours we expect from each other. It’s a simple tool to understand and a positive addition to our workplace.”

(Well Testing & Completions Service Supervisor)

Lessons Learnt

Commitment from the top – senior managers must lead the change by removing obstacles and allowing people to succeed.

Just make a start – once you do, you’ll find it’s not as difficult as you first thought.

Set realistic expectations – set yourself up for success and celebrate each small victory.

“Be Like Bruce Lee” – absorb what is useful, discard what is useless, add what is uniquely your own.